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(No Model.) G. M. MILLER & F. RIEM'ER.

FIRE ESCAPE. No. 290,908. Patented Dec. 25, 1883.

UNITED STATES ATENT rricn.

GEORGE M. MILLER AND FRIEDRICK RIEMER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID RIEMER ASSIGNOR TO SAID MILLER.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,908, dated December 25, 1853.

Application filed February 5, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE M. MILLER and FRIEDRICK RIEMER, both of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have 5 invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Fire-Escapes; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the let- IO ters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention consists in certain improvements in fire-escapes, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a cross-section of the device as attached to the wall of the room below the window'sill, with the rope wound upon the spool; Fig. 2, a side elevation of thesame with the 20 rope unwound and suspended outside of the window, aii'd Fig. 3 a front elevation of a window with the apparatus in position.

Corresponding letters in the several figures of the drawings designate like parts.

A denotes a plate that is rigidly secured against the wall in the room of the building below the window-sill by wood-screws. To this plate A is secured a staple, a, that holds a ring, 0, and two brackets, b, that have eyed 3o ends to form bearings for the journals of a spool, 13. This spool B is provided with a pin or hook, d, upon its middle portion, and with a hand-crank, f. exteriorly to one of its journals.

D is a hemp, manila, or silk rope of suffi' cient strength that may be covered with sheepskin and provided with wooden knobs or buttons i at equal intervals for insuring a firm hold to a person. This rope is tied with one 40 end to ring 0, and has to its opposite end a metal ball of sufficient gravity for landing such rope end to the ground, irrespective of stormy weather. Such rope D While not used is wound upon the spool B, the weight j having a loop or eye to its end, by which it is first suspended 4 to pinor hook d, and then by turning crank f the entire rope is wound upon such spool. In case of fire, the rope can be rapidly unwound from the spool by simply catching hold of the rope near its connection with ring 0 and by 54 pulling thereon, for which purpose it need not be disconnected from such ring 0. Then the weight j is dropped or thrown out of the window, when, after reaching the ground, a person can climb down with safety; or, before 5 climbing down himself, he can lower to the ground any timid or infirm person or his baggage, and then follow afterward.

The entire apparatus can be inclosed by a casing to be out of sight, with directions en- 6 graved or painted thereon how, in case of necessity, to use the fire-escape to the best advantage.

As will be readily seen, the herein shown and described device is very simple and cheap, 6 and is well adapted for the intended purpose.

hat we claim is- 1. In a fire-escape, the combination of rope D, having weight j, provided at its outer end with a loop or eye, ring a, staple a, and spool 7 B, having hook (I, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination of plate A, having staple a, brackets I), having eyed ends, spool B, having pin (1, and hand-crank 7 f, and the ring 0, rope D, and weighty, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as\ our invention we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE M. MILLER. FRIEDRICK RIEMER.

\Vitnesses:

LoUIs NOLTING, I-I. WV. HUEHL. 

